Mine.



P. L. E. DEL FUNGO-GIERA.

MINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAYH. 1916.

1,220,962. Patented Mar. 27, 1917.

PHILIPPO L. E. DEL FUNGO-GIERA, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

MINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 11, 1916. Serial No. 96,801%.

' To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, PHILIPPO L. E. DEL FUNGO-GIERA, a citizen of Switzerland, and a resident of New York city, New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Mines, which invention is fully set forth in the following specification.

The present invention is an improvement in marine or floating mines, and the object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which will have a portion nor mally projecting above the water in imitation of the periscope of a submarine. This projecting portion is provided with contact firing mechanism such that, when the supposed periscope is rammed by a vessel, the charge within the mine will be exploded.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- 7 Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view; and

Fig. 2 is a top plan view.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts, 13 indicates any suitable mine structure containing an explosive charge of tri-nitrotoluol, gun-cotton, dynamite, or other suitable ex plosive. Preferably, this mine structure is cylindrical in shape and formed with bumped or rounded ends; and is provided with a radially extending fin" or rib 19 to prevent the mine from rotating. The mine is also preferably galvanized on its exterior, and is made smooth, to prevent the adhesion thereto of marine growths, and corrosion.

The upper end of the mine is closed by a plate 13' which is secured to the mine structure by any suitable means as, for example, bolts 2. Preferably, a packing 1 is introduced between the plate or cover 13 and the mine 13.

Connected to the plate 13, and preferably formed integrally therewith, is a hollow upwardly projecting member, bearing an exterior resemblance to a submarine periscope. Within said hollow member is contained a priming charge 3, above which is fixedly secured, in any desired manner, a container 9, preferably of glass, in which is carried sulfuric acid or other priming substance. Above the glass container 9, and bearing thereon, is arranged a plunger 7. Pivotally connected to this plunger 7 are skeleton arms 6, the outer end of each of which is rounded and covered with glass as shown at 6 1n slmulation of the lenses of a periscope. A third skeleton arm 5 is connected to the plunger 7, and the upper end of this arm 5 pro ects into a recess 5' in the top 4: of the hollow periscopic member. Obviously any other suitable form of contact firing mechanism could be employed if desired.

Secured to the lower extremity of the mine body is a weight or inertia member 13 which is provided with aflange 15 and se cured to the mine by any suitable means passing through said flange, The weight of this inertia member is varied according to the depth at which the mine is desired to be maintained under the surface of the water, and the member is made of su'tficient bulk and heaviness to prevent'the mine from turning'over under the impact or shock of the ramming action of the vessel. To the bottom of the weight or inertia member 13 is secured the anchor member (not shown) as by means of a rope passing through an eyelet 17.

It will be understood that the mine, when planted, will have a portion of the hollow periscopic member projecting above the water-line, and that this projecting portion will, in every way, simulate the periscope of a submarine, thus inviting a ramming attack on the partof a hostile vessel. As soon as the members 6 are engaged by the said vessel, the shock will be transmitted through the arms 6 downwardly through the plunger 7, thus causing the latter to rulpture the glass container 9, whereupon t e acid contained therein will flow into contact with the priming charge 3 and explode the same. The detonating action of the priming charge will operate,through apertures 12 in the plate or cover 13', on the main explosive charge contained'in the mine body.

Preferabl the interior of the mine body is coated with liquid glass and contains a charge of about five hundred pounds of trinitro-toluol, wet gun-cotton, or dynamite. If desired, there may be placed on this charge an additional layer of mono-nitronaphthalene. The latter operates to disintegrate the main explosive charge if it has been standing for. a long time, and also acts to produce a dense black smoke which completely envelops the ship or other object that may have struck the mine for a considerable time after the explosion, thus preventing signaling, rescue, and repair work. The mine'may be lowered by means of ropes Patented Mar. 27, 1917,

as by bolts 16.

or cables passing through eyelets 11 secured to the body 13.

While, for the purpose of illustration, one embodiment of the inventive idea has been shown and described in detail, it will be understood that the inventive idea is susceptible of various mechanical embodiments within the limits of the appended claims.

What is claimed is 1. In combination, a mine body containing an explosive charge, an elongated extension secured to the top thereof and normally projecting above the surface of the water, said extension being so constructed as to simulate in appearance the periscope of a submarine, a contact firing mechanism contained in said extension, and a priming charge associated with said firing mechanism.

2. In combination, a mine body containingan explosive charge, a hollow elongated member secured to said mine body and normally projecting above the surface of the water and simulating in appearance the periscope of a submarine, a firing plunger, skeleton arms secured thereto and provided with contact surfaces adapted to be engaged by a body moving in the water, and a priming charge contained in said hollow member and associated with said firing plunger.

3. In combination, a mine body containing an explosive charge, a hollow elongated member secured to said mine body and normally projecting above the surface of the water and simulating in apperance the periscope of a submarine, a firing plunger, skeleton arms secured thereto and provided with contact surfaces adapted to be engaged by a body moving in the water, a priming charge contained in said hollow member and associated wlth said firing-plunger, and a weight or mertia member secured to said mine body at a point remote from said hollow elongated member.

4. In combination, amine containing an explosive charge, an elongated member secured to one end of said mine and normally projecting above the surface of the Water,

said member being so constructed asto simuexplosive charge, an elongated member se-' cured to one end of said mine and normally projecting above the surface of the water, said member being so constructed as to simulate in appearance, the periscope of a submarine, a firing mechanism contained in said member, a priming charge associated With said firing mechanism, a weight or inertia) member secured to the other end of said mine, and a longitudinal fin projecting from the side of said mine.

6. In combination, a mine body containing an explosive charge, a hollow elongated member secured to said mine body and normally projecting above the surface of the water and simulating in appearance the periscope of a submarine, a firing plunger in said member, skeleton arms connected with said plunger and positioned to be engaged by a body-moving in the water, a priming charge in said member 'operatively related to said firing plunger, a 'Weight or inertia member secured to said'fmine body at a point remote from said hollow member, and a fin projecting from the side of said mine body;

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification.

PHILIPPO L. E- DEL FUNGO-GIERA. 

